While the tried-and-true manual transmission may seem a relic of the past in our tech-hungry landscape, a surprising number of new 2026 model year cars still offer the option. It’s almost like automakers know that it’s fun to row the gears and to have increased control over your vehicle. Sarcasm aside, car companies wouldn’t be selling manual transmission models anymore if nobody was buying them (and people are).
While manual-gearbox cars are still a small percentage of overall sales in 2025, they are more relevant than ever in the segments where driving engagement is crucial to the overall experience. Considering pure sports cars like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota GR86, the manual transmission is the clear superior choice and most buyers opt for it. These are five new 2026 cars that are better off with a manual.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources.
2026 Nissan Z
Base MSRP: $42,970
- Base Trim Engine
-
VR 3L ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
6-speed manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
400 HP @6400 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
350 lb.-ft. @ 1600 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
18/24/20 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
-
Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Nissan
- Model
-
Z
Coming in as the most affordable new manual car on our list is the 2026 Nissan Z. Although many details were carried over from Nissan’s previous 370Z sports coupe, the six-speed manual offered with the Nissan Z is much improved compared to its predecessor.
Although the FS6R31A six-speed manual transmission found in the Nissan Z shares commonality with the previous generation CD009 six-speed manual transmission, the FS6R31A has been strengthened to handle the increased output of the twin-turbo V-6 engine. This includes details like a larger clutch, revised bellhousing, larger synchros for first and second gears, as well as improved oil lubrication.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|---|---|
|
|
2026 Honda Civic Type R
Base MSRP: $45,895 (2025)
- Base Trim Engine
-
2.0L I4 Turbo
- Base Trim Transmission
-
6-speed manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
315 HP @6500 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
310 lb.-ft. @ 2600 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
22/28/24 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
-
Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Honda
- Model
-
Civic Type R
If you are curious what the best driving new FWD car available is, it is the 2026 Honda Civic Type R. Although it is Honda’s proprietary dual-axis front suspension that gives the Type R an unmatched feel, the smooth six-speed manual transmission is a good part of the overall experience.
Not only is this the best-feeling manual transmission in a modern Honda, thanks to the exclusive shifter linkage, the 2026 Civic Type R is also the most powerful Civic model ever. The 2026 model was just recently confirmed, and it is guaranteed to offer the manual gearbox as standard. Honda is one of the few brands still offering several enthusiast-geared manual transmission options, such as the 2026 Honda Civic Si and 2025 Acura Integra Type S.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|---|---|
|
|
2026 BMW M2 Coupe
Base MSRP: $68,200
- Base Trim Engine
-
3L I6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
6-speed manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
473 HP @6250 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
406 lb.-ft. @ 2650 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
16/23/19 MPG
- Make
-
BMW
- Model
-
M2
- Segment
-
Subcompact Luxury Coupe
While BMW was once the king of manual-equipped performance vehicles, even now, the leading German brand’s stick shift options have dwindled to only a few remaining choices. The 2026 BMW M2 Coupe is one of those last few and a compelling proposition as a new performance car with a stick that can do it all.
The M2’s S58 inline-six engine is an absolute dream, and it is paired most perfectly with the six-speed manual (although the automatic transmission is available at no additional cost). With standard features like the Harman Kardon audio and the comfort of a modern luxury sedan, the 2026 BMW M2 is an agile coupe that performs greater than the sum of its very fancy and shiny parts.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|---|---|
|
|
2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Base MSRP: $97,600
- Base Trim Engine
-
6.2L V-8 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
668 HP @6500 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
659 lb.-ft. @ 3600 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
13/20/15 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
-
Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Cadillac
- Model
-
CT5-V Blackwing
An American super sedan with a slick six-speed manual and one of the best V-8 engines ever put into a car? The 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing might be $100,000 of full-blown bald-eagle-powered opulence, but it is worth every last cent (considering the heavier prices of its German rivals).
The top-tier Blackwing model is the only way to get a six-speed manual in a Cadillac CT5 chassis, and when you consider that the optional 10-speed automatic is a $6,000 premium, it is the clear path to experiencing this American dream as was intended. Our only gripe is that the interior, despite its improved nature and functionality, is not up to par in terms of quality with some of its more established competitors.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|---|---|
|
|
2026 Porsche Carrera T
Base MSRP: $143,700
- Base Trim Engine
-
3L H6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
PDK 8-speed auto-shift manual
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
388 HP @6500 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
332 lb.-ft. @ 1950 RPM
- Base Trim Battery Type
-
Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Porsche
- Model
-
911 Carrera
- Segment
-
Sports Car
Of course, when you have about $150,000 to spend on a new manual-equipped sports car, one of the top choices on your list is certainly the 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera T. If money isn’t the limiting factor, this lightweight manual-only 911 model is just about everything you could want out of a high-dollar sports car.
The Carrera T model is the only way to find yourself with a stick shift in a non-GT 911, and it comes with upgraded goodies such as Sport Chrono and rear-axle steering. Yet, this six-speed gearbox (no longer a seven-speed) is the true star of the show, utilizing the cables and bushings from the Porsche 911 GT3 for extra engagement.
If you have over $100,000 to play with, there really is no legitimate manual-equipped competitor to the Porsche 911 Carrera T. Although 20 percent or so of new Porsche 911 owners still opt for the manual, that number has long been on the decline. Thus, if you believe that one day all remaining manual Porsche 911s will eventually appreciate, there is no reason not to have the well-rounded Carrera T in the line-up.
|
Strengths |
Weaknesses |
|---|---|
|
|